THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
2 JULY 2023
Saint
Paul reminds us today of the critical importance of our baptism. Most of us were baptized as infants. Parents and sponsors made baptismal promises
for us, renouncing three times the power of the evil one and professing faith
three times in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Some of you were baptized as teens or adults,
making those promises on your own. No
matter what were the circumstances, we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into his death. We entered into
the waters of baptism as Christ was buried into his tomb. We emerged one with Christ to live a new life
with him. As baptized Christians, we
must think of ourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
In the
course of these last few Sundays, we have been listening to the Gospel of Saint
Matthew to follow Jesus forming his first disciples. Through his teaching and miracles, he has
been revealing that the kingdom of heaven has arrived. He chooses twelve of his disciples to be
apostles and sends them out to proclaim this message. He tells them to do what he has been
doing: cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse
lepers, and drive out demons.
He sends us
out to proclaim the same message. He
teaches us in the Word proclaimed at every Mass. We can deepen our understanding of his Word
through the offerings of our parish adult faith formation and appreciate the
richness of Catholic doctrine and social teaching. We can evangelize when we attend to the
sick. We can raise those who have lost
all hope to new life. We can welcome
back those who have been pushed out of our community. We can bridge those divisions in our culture
that cause demons great joy.
However,
Jesus warns the twelve that their message will not always be accepted. In fact, they will most likely be
rejected. He gives us the same warning. When we make efforts to share our faith, especially
with members of our families who are alienated from or angry with the Church,
we might face rejection. When we speak
from the richness of Catholic doctrine and social teaching, we are confronted
with a deep polarization. Too many cling
to their political positions. But Jesus
assures us that he is with us and will not abandon us.
In today’s
Gospel, Jesus challenges us to put him first in all our relationships. Ironically, we enjoy a much more profound
relationship with members of our own family if we put our relationship with him
first. Rooted in that relationship, we
do not have to perform dramatic actions to be recognized as his disciples. He
tells us that we can proclaim the kingdom of heaven by doing something as
simple as giving a cup of cold water to one of his little ones.
Our small acts of kindness can make
a dramatic difference today. We can give
a smile to someone who is discouraged.
We can listen to someone with whom we disagree. We can show authentic love to someone who
insists on pursuing a life style that contradicts what our faith
professes. In our church, Ministers of
Hospitality open the doors and welcome all who come to join us at Mass. Even an action as simple as moving to the
center of the pew when someone is trying to find a seat can make a difference.
Through the centuries, disciples of
Jesus Christ have proclaimed the presence of the kingdom of heaven in dramatic
ways. Some of them are portrayed on our
triumphant arch. Saint Gianni Mola gave
her life so that her child could have life.
Saint Charles Lwanga and his companions planted the seed of faith in
Uganda by refusing to cooperate with a brutal tribal chief. Saint Angela Merici founded a religious order
to serve the needs of the marginalized.
Blessed Basil Moreau founded the Holy Cross congregation that continues
to serve the Church today. We make a
difference in quiet ways by engaging in simple acts of charity.
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